Chapter Seven:
Qhuinn woke with a start. Fuck, a blade comes at his throat and he decides to take a vaca into dream land. Smart move asshole. When his vision clears he realises that he is flat on his back, in a white room, covered with all sorts of leads and tubes. Where the fuck was he?
A soft rustling brings his focus to the corner of the room. Doc Jane. The good old Doc was sitting in a chair, book in hand, smiling at him.
"Glad to have you back in the world of the living Qhuinn. You had us all worried there for a while. How are you feeling?"
Qhuinn opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. Clearing his throat he cringed. Fuck him but didn't it hurt like a motherfucker. His throat was so damn raw it was as if he'd been chowing down on gravel all day. Reaching up with a hand that felt like a lead weight he rubbed his neck before trying to answer once more.
But still nothing. Eyes widening in panic he glances at Jane who is approaching with a pitcher of water.
"Don't worry Q. You're recovering from some major surgery. This could very well be a temporary side effect. If not, then we'll deal with it when the time comes. Okay?"
Pushing a button on the side of the bed Jane moves him into a sitting position and offers him a glass filled with water. "Here, drink this. Slowly."
Qhuinn didn't know what to say. Damn it all to hell, he needed his voice. But Jane was right, he shouldn't worry about that shit unless he truly had to. And at least everyone in the manse was already fluent in ASL.
"Q. Do you remember what happen the night you were injured?"
Handing the glass back to Jane he lifts his heavy as hell arms and tries to sign for her. Damn, but it took him at least four tries before he got control of his limbs again. "Yeah I remember all to clearly Doc. I hope someone took that dark haired bastard with the Jackie Chan complex out."
Jane laughed. "Good to see you're still in there. And yeah, I believe Xhex introduced him to the business end of his own blade."
Qhuinn sagged in relief. Xhex just became his new BF. Speaking of friends, where was everyone else? Clapping his hands together to get Jane's attention he asked what was doing with the others, with John.
"Everyone is fine. No-one else was injured that night. The Brother's arrived just as that blade made contact with your jugular. Rhage lifted the lesser off of you, and then Xhex done her thing."
Qhuinn nodded, glad to hear everyone was doing good. Reaching up to his throat once more he realised it was free of any bandages or scarring. Damn, how long had he been out? From what he was getting off the Doc it had been a serious wound. "How long have I been out?"
"Four days. That's why we were all so worried about you. Vishous told me that vampires never usually take that long to heal. The only cases he has seen the male, or female, never wake up. They seemed to remain in a comatose like state until their families finally made the decision to send them unto the Fade."
Qhuinn's eyes widened. Would anyone have made that decision for him? Before he could ask Jane reached for his hand and squeezed it.
"And before you ask, No. Not once did anyone even consider that where you were concerned. Believe it or not, but we all love and respect you too much."
Qhuinn couldn't stand the look of concern on her pretty face. He'd never had anyone express anything but disgust for him, until he came here that is, and he still couldn't accept it. The only positive he had ever had in his life was Blay.
Damn, Blay.
He'd been here. He'd said he loved him, and Qhuinn had tried to reply. A sudden memory of his beautiful tear stained face had Qhuinn pulling the leads from his arms. He had to see. He needed to see him.
"What the hell are you doing? Relax Q. Let me help."
"Blay. I need to see him. Where is he?"
"I've no idea. Let me call V and have him bring him to you. Okay."
"No. I have to get out of here. I don't want him to see me like this. I need to shower, and to change. I want to go back to my room. Please Jane."
"Fine, relax yourself. We'll take our time. I'll get all this stuff off you and we'll walk up together. But if I think you need the help I will be calling one of the Brother's to come get you and bring you straight back here. Understood?"
"Yeah, sure. But we need to go now."
Qhuinn watched as Jane removed all of the tubes and leads from various body parts. Christ, but he felt icky. Getting busy with some hot water and soap was definitely top of his to do list.
And then he would talk to Blay. Man up and tell him the truth of it. Tell him everything, especially how he felt.
No more sitting back and letting life pass him by. He was going to reach out and take what he wanted.
And Blay was exactly that.
